The tentative dates for the Snowmass 2024 trip will be April 8th to the 14th. Put it in your calendar.
We didn't get much new snow this trip but we got plenty of sun. If any of you were wondering, the light brown patches we had in the snow were caused by winds blowing dust and dirt from the deserts in Nevada and Utah. The warmer temps caused the snow to be soft and wetter than normal and the dust/dirt was attracted to it. Seems most of Utah and Colorado resorts all had this issue.
We had 48 people on this trip. A club record for any trip. Out of the 48 people, 36 were on one of the previous seven spring trips to Snowmass. This tells me everyone is having a good time because they keep coming back.
Because our group has grown, I believe we should have enough for me to check into group pricing for air fare. I'll keep you posted what I find.
This trip keeps growing every year. Our first trip was 8 years ago with just 6 people. Last year we had 34 and this trip we have deposits from 43 people. Just ask anyone who's been on this trip before and they usually say it's the most fun they have on a trip. Yeah, Snowmass is a great mountain, but it's the sunny days, the warmer temps in the 30's, the good snow, NO crowds, and a great group of people that like to have fun while skiing.
Sloppy Joe Party
Tour of Snowmass Group
Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe
Post Thigh Burner Party
Post Thigh Burner Party
Post Thigh Burner Party
Mary Rick Max Tom
Max and Mike
Mark Scott Mike Karen Mamie Jim Fran Marty Jim Tom
Jim and Mark
Tom Mary Nicole Mike Karen Marty
Nicole Mike Karen Tom
Tom Laura Mary Mike Karen Marty
Morning Ski Group
Submit Your Photo To The Webmaster
We had the usual transportation problems. A few people had flights canceled on the way in but either arrived later on Sunday or early Monday morning. One person went to a Rockies baseball game Sunday night.
Once in their condos, everyone commented how nice they were and enjoyed how close they were to the slopes. The Sunday evening "Get to Know Everyone Pizza Party" was well attended.
On Monday, a group went on a tour of the mountain. At times we had high winds on the mountains due to an upcoming storm approaching. Blowing snow created patches and drifts of snow on the mountain which were fun blasting through.
On Tuesday, we woke to everything covered in snow. Laurie and I have been hosting the trip to Snowmass since 2014. Every trip, with the exception of last year, a storm would come through and give us 5 to 12" of snow. I believe mother nature was trying to make up for last year because we received 27" of snow on this last trip. You usually don't get the opportunity to experience that much snow unless you live in the mountains. Due to all the snow we received, snow conditions were fantastic the rest of the week. For those who were on the 2022 trip, it will be one you will remember forever.
We had four people take advantage of the free ski lessons given by Jeff and Rick on Tuesday morning. There would have been more but some people's skis stuck to the fresh snow and had to get their skis waxed. Tuesday evening we had a Taco party in Rick and Laurie's condo and had many stories to tell from their deep snow experiences that day.
Everyone got out Wednesday morning and enjoyed another day of snow up to their boot tops and more. After lunch on Wednesday, a group of 7 hiked up to the top of Longshot and skied the 5 mile run of deep snow through the trees. It took almost an hour for the group to come down due to their Midwest legs and took a long break at the bottom afterwards. At 3:30 pm, a few attended the thigh burner top to bottom run. Mike and Stephen Nelson came in 3rd and 4th. Congrats to the two of them!
On Thursday, a group went to ski Aspen Mountain. The morning was cloudy but the sun came out after lunch. With the sun and fresh snow, the group took the opportunity and skied down Ruthie's Run and most of the World Cup downhill run during which one member expressed her opinion of the run by saying "Get me the f*** off this mountain." It may have been a little steep for her in some places but she got down safely and the view of the town coming down the mountain was memorable.
On Friday evening, we had "Left Over Night" where we ate what food was left over from the trip. Everyone their had a story about their deep snow experiences during the week. It was the perfect end to a memorable trip.
Ikon Pass holders or non-skiers Lodging only is: $580.
Located in Snowmass Colorado the rooms are ski in ski out. The condos has many amenities; wifi, maid service, elevator, pool, hot tub, and a private shuttle to take you to the ski areas, grocery runs and the Village. There is a free shuttle bus from Snowmass to Aspen Mountain.
See the photos below showing the snow and fun we had!
Apres Ski Party
Apres Ski Party
Apres Ski Party
Laurie, Rachel, Rick
View from Top Of Village Condos
Our group gets discounts at select restaurants and shops.
Stephen & Mike
Third Place Thigh Burner Race Winner
Venga Venga After Party
Laurie & Rick
Powder Day for Mike & Rick
Jeff, Larry, Mike, Tom
Ski In Ski Out Condos
Put Your Photo Here
Although there were to large group get togethers, there were some small gatherings at lunch and after the Annual John Wright Thigh Burner Run, which Mike Nelson won 2nd place and 2 margaritas. Also during the week the NASTRA Nationals were running and Dave Clark won first place in his bracket.
April 4th-10th, 2021
April 4th-10th, 2021
April 4th-10th, 2021
Mike "Thigh Burner 2nd Place Winner"
Larry and Dave
Snowmass Group 2021
Rick and Laurie
Apres Thigh Burner Race
President Jim
Karen at Snowmass
Top of Village Condo
The 2020 trip was cancelled due to Covid-19.
Mike Nelson was the winner of the 2019 Annual John Wright Thigh Burner Challenge,. Mike won a free margerita.
Who says there is not good snow in April?
Lynn, Rick, Mary
Roman, Helene, Ralph, Rick, Laurie, Mary, Jeff
Mike won the annual John Wright Thigh Burner Challenge!
Condo after party!
Condo after party!
Ski In Ski Out Condos
Our group gets discounts at select restaurants and shops.
A day on Aspen Mountain! Pictured from left to right; Karinas dad, ?, Karinas mom, Martin, Karina, Rick, Roman, Jeff, Marlin
A great way to end the season! 23 people went on the trip. Some flew, some drove.
First day Monday, we had 2 to 3 inches of fresh snow. Rick took part of the group for a tour of Snowmass mountain and visited the three peaks and three main on mountain restaurants. Monday night there was an outdoor barbeque dinner when it started to snow.
Tuesday morning we had around 10 inches of fresh powder and a group went up to the top of Big Burn for First Tracks an hour before the chairlifts opened to the public. Due to lack of crowds, we had fresh snow to almost lunch time. Tuesday evening there was a group dinner in Rick and Laurie's condo for appetizers, salad, lasagna, garlic bread, beer and wine.
Wednesday was a perfect day. Blue skies, 30 degrees, and perfect snow from Tuesday's storm. Some took the day off and went into Aspen. But for those that skied Snowmass, we had outstanding snow and groomed conditions in Elk Camp all day. There was the Thigh Burner race and after we met down at Venga Venga for margaritas.
Thursday and Friday were spring conditions with temps in the 50's. Thursday, some of the group went to Aspen mountain and skied Ajax and the run the World Cup races were held on in early March. On Friday, Dave Clark got 10 of us organized for Nastar racing at Snowmass. We're a fast group as many received medals.
Overall A GREAT TRIP!
Laurie, Rick, Jeff, Karen
Jeff, Rick
Date: April 3rd to April 9th in 2016.
Transportation- Trip does not include transportation.
However you get there, try to arrive Sunday around 3 pm on Sunday for check in. Any earlier and you may wait for your room to get ready. Reception party is usually around 7 pm Sunday evening.
About skiing in April- April is normally Aspen's 2nd snowiest month so good snow is usually no problem. If you've never skied the mountains in spring, you need to go. The temps are more mild, lows average in the 20's, highs in the low 40's at the base of the mountain. Higher in the mountain is normally 10 degrees cooler. The Aspen/Snowmass area start at around 8,000 feet at the base and 12,000 feet at the summit so the snow stays in good shape.
Date: April 5th, 2015 to Saturday, April 11th, 2015
A day on Aspen Mountain! Pictured from left to right; Lynn Creegan, Tom Blair, Rick Pasturczak, Joey Keen, Joe Keen, Laurie Pasturczak.
Trollhaugen guy, Joey, Joe
Venga Venga 2015
Post Thigh Burner Party
Terrace House Condo
Terrace House Hot Tub
The Powder Dogs had good snow conditions all week for trip. The Monday Nastar race day at Snowmass was sunny and in the 40's, perfect for an outdoor lunch. The photo to the right was taken after our outdoor lunch which was after the Nastar race. Later in the week was partly sunny with some fresh snow and the temps stayed mainly in the 20's so the snow stayed good all week.
Some trip highlights:
Look at those smiling faces! Pictured from left to right; Bruce Peters, Phil Rhunke, Krista Rhunke, Rick Pasturczak, Laurie Pasturczak (kneeling), Mike Nelson, Jeannie Conway, Jim Conway, Barb Kowalski, Penny Bouchard, John Conway, Carol Verling, John Huegenberg (and his new jacket), and Paul Bouchard.
A day on Aspen Mountain! Pictured from left to right; Jim Conway, John Conway, Rick Pasturczak, Mike Nelson, Paul Bouchard, John Hugenberg.
Copyright© 2023 - All rights reserved.
The Powder Dogs Ski & Snowboard Club.